Chocolate Almond Energizers

By Deb Gleason

Looking for a quick snack between workouts or something to help you start your recovery right after a tough workout? I created these snacks out of whole foods which means not only do they contain real food but they really fill you up because there are no empty calories from processed foods. Dates are a great source of natural sugar and carbs and almonds stick around keeping you satisfied longer. Hemp seeds are a nice source of protein, omega 3 fatty acids and they are anti-inflammatory which really gets the recovery started nicely in your body.

Not only do these taste amazing, they are so easy to make and they last in your freezer for a long time so you can snack on them whenever the urge hits.

Chocolate Almond Energizers

1/2 cup raw almonds

6 Medjool dates (the big soft kind – make sure to remove the pits)

3 TBSP hemp seeds (also called Hemp Hearts)

2 TBSP Cocoa powder

1/4 tsp sea salt

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Make sure you have taken the pits out of the dates and add all ingredients to your blender or food processor (I used my Vitamix). Blend until the nuts are in small pieces and the mixture is sticking together nicely.

Remove from your blender or food processor (should be able to form a sticky ball by now) and place on a piece of parchment paper and press the ball down so it spreads out and is about 1/4 inch thick. Leave the Energizers on the parchment paper and place them in the freezer and allow them to chill there for about an hour (they won’t freeze solid). Remove from freezer and cut into small bite sized pieces and return to the freezer in a freezer safe container.

Written as a guide for those looking to move toward a healthy and delicious plant-based lifestyle, Vegan with Ease offers everything you need to know in one easy-to-find place including recipes, baking tips, vegan traveling and eating out strategies as well as nutrition information. It’s beautifully designed with photos, and it’s available instantly when purchased. Vegan With Ease: to learn more click now!

Deb Gleason is the author of Plant Powered Success, The Ultimate Guide to Vegan Health and the Co-Founder of Wellness Warrior Coaching, an innovative company that inspires people to ignite the fire within through nutrition, fitness and personal development.

Deb is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist and an expert in vegan nutrition. When not empowering people to take control of their own health through their diet she is busy teaching yoga, training for triathlon races and following her dogs around in beautiful spaces.

As a former Homicide Detective she now knows that cheeseburgers are more deadly than bullets and she’s chosen to dedicate her life to helping people secure their health through a clean and powerful diet.

Deb offers a 30 Day Health Tune Up program in Ottawa which empowers people to investigate a whole foods, plant-based diet for 30 days. She sets participants up for success with simple strategies and delicious recipes. Through the group learning environment vibrant health is achieved easily.

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Readers: The ideas expressed in Women's Cycling.ca in subjects such as fitness, health, training, and nutrition should not be used to diagnose or to treat individual concerns. Consult a health-care professional or trainer who can best address your specific needs.